Hat-trick hero Ibe sinks Montenegro

Jordon Ibe helped himself to a treble of strikes as England U19s thrashed Montenegro 6-0 at Banks's Stadium in Walsall on Saturday afternoon.

It was the perfect start to the Young Lions' UEFA European U19 Championship campaign as they swept to victory in the Elite Qualifying Round.

Liverpool youngster, Ibe, who drew praise from all quarters on his return to action for the Reds against Shamrock Rovers earlier this month, was in scintillating form for his country.

He notched either side of goals from Chelsea's Lewis Baker, Southampton striker Sam Gallagher and Aston Villa's Callum Robinson as Noel Blake's side ran riot in the West Midlands.

Ibe's first goal of the game saw the 18-year-old dribble into the penalty area and fire goalwards, where a deflection carried the ball beyond Suad Licina and into the Montenegrin net for 1-0.

Baker doubled the deficit from the spot before Ibe showcased his composure to grab a second, opening his body to calmly convert Matt Targett's pin-point delivery.

Gallagher added a fourth shortly after - and then, in the 65th minute, it was time for Ibe to seal a deserved hat-trick, pouncing in the box to tap home his third of the night before Robinson sealed a 6-0 rout.